Press Release: NC-SARA Board Members Announcement

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November 8, 2019                                                                               media@nc-sara.org

NC-SARA Announces Four Board Members and Names New Board Leadership

New members will enhance board’s focus on student consumer protections and help NC-SARA strengthen innovation in online education

BOULDER, CO – The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) today announced four new board members and a new board chair who will each help support the nonprofit’s work to improve students’ access to quality postsecondary distance education opportunities.

“We’re excited to expand our board with four new members who will bring diverse expertise and insight to our work,” said NC-SARA President and CEO Dr. Lori Williams. “We have worked diligently to ensure NC-SARA’s board and leadership represents a variety of experts from higher education, state leadership, distance education, and advocacy groups, and the newest board members are no exception.”

NC-SARA also chose Indiana Higher Education Commissioner Teresa Lubbers as its new board chair. Lubbers has served on the NC-SARA board since 2013 and most recently was the board’s vice chair. Retired Oregon State University President, Dr. Ed Ray, will now serve as the board’s vice chair. 

“I am personally delighted to welcome such a strong group of new board members, and I look forward to serving with each of them in the coming year,” said Dr. Paul Lingenfelter, immediate past chair of the NC-SARA Board. “I’m also very pleased that Teresa Lubbers will lead the next chapter of our work in her new role as board chair. Teresa has demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing NC-SARA’s mission, and we’re looking forward to her leadership.”

The new board members began their three-year terms with NC-SARA effective October 30, 2019 and can serve a maximum of two terms. The four new board members are:

• Dr. Robert E. Anderson, President of the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO); Board Chair, Institute for Higher Education Policy
• Dr. John C. Cavanaugh, President & CEO of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area
• Mr. Art Coleman, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of EducationCounsel; Previous Board Chair, Institute for Higher Education Policy
• Dr. Laurie Dodge, Vice Chancellor of Institutional Assessment and Planning for Brandman University; Previous Board Chair, Competency-Based Education Network

Commissioner Lubbers added, “On behalf of the board, I want to express our gratitude to Kathleen Curry Santora who has concluded her service as a valued board member and to Paul Lingenfelter who as NC-SARA’s first chair has provided visionary leadership for the staff and board. We wish Kathleen the best in future endeavors, and we look forward to Paul’s continuing service and counsel.”

To learn more about the NC-SARA board and read member bios, click here.

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The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is a voluntary, interstate reciprocal approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. The initiative is administered by the country’s four regional higher education compacts (MHEC, NEBHE, SREB and WICHE) and coordinated by NC-SARA. States and institutions that choose to participate agree to operate under common standards and procedures, providing a more uniform and less costly regulatory environment for institutions, more focused oversight responsibilities for states, and better resolution of student complaints. www.nc-sara.org